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Industry Daily Summary

Industry Daily Summary: What Happened on October 22, 2026

EQT agrees to buy Qiagen for €10.8 billion

Astellas will pay AI Proteins more than $400 million upfront for miniprotein research. CSL and Voyager also named incoming CEOs.

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Today in brief

Qiagen accepted an all-cash offer from EQT and investment partners valuing the company at about €10.8 billion, including net debt.1

Astellas will pay AI Proteins more than $400 million upfront to design miniprotein candidates against targets Astellas chooses.2

CSL chose ViiV Healthcare CEO Deborah Waterhouse as its next chief executive, and Voyager plans to replace CEO Sandrock with Swartz.3

EQT's €10.8 billion offer would take Qiagen private

Qiagen agreed to an all-cash takeover offer from EQT Private Equity and investment partners Luxinva and CPP Investment Board Europe, valuing the company at about €10.8 billion, including net debt.1 At €46.50 per share, the offer is 40.3% above Qiagen's unaffected closing price on July 8, 2026.1

Qiagen said its boards unanimously backed the deal after reviewing strategic and private equity buyers.1 The deal needs acceptance from holders of more than half the outstanding share capital, shareholder approval, and antitrust and foreign-investment clearances.1 The companies expect it to close in mid-2027 if those conditions are met.1

Astellas commits more than $400 million upfront for miniprotein research

AI Proteins will receive more than $400 million upfront from Astellas Innovation Management to design and optimize miniproteins against targets selected by Astellas.2 The companies will use AI Proteins' computational platform to discover and develop candidates.2

Astellas holds an exclusive worldwide license to candidates generated by the collaboration and will oversee their later development, regulatory work, and commercialization.2 AI Proteins may also earn milestone payments and royalties on net sales.2

Also worth knowing

  • CSL expects Deborah Waterhouse to become CEO and managing director on February 1, 2027. Voyager plans for Swartz to succeed Sandrock as CEO next year.3

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    Aiforia's digital pathology AI software will be available through PathAI's AISight Marketplace under a commercial agreement. The companies aim to integrate the tools into existing case-review workflows.4

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